itX launches into Cosmos

itX is claiming to be the first local distributor to implement a Sun Microsystems online configuration tool for resellers.

The Cosmos tool can support configurations for Sun's Fire X64 servers, Fire CMT servers and its Volume range, which includes entry-level servers. Sun business manager, John Poulter, said the configurator provided resellers with the ability to go online, configure Sun's Volume products within minutes, obtain a valid configuration and end-user price and request an electronic quote from itX.

"Once the reseller gets the quote, it can be converted to an order and having the relevant stock on hand, it can be shipped on the same or the very next business day," he said. "That is a significant change. Previously, Sun didn't have any procedures in place and it would take up about two or three days to turn around a purchase order or a request for a quote and so forth.

"It is about making it easier for the partners to do business and making it as streamlined as possible."

itX general manager, Greg Newham, said Sun had recently changed its structure for partners selling its Volume product range.

"They don't have to have any particular Sun qualifications for the low-end server range," Newham said. "Until recently you had to be Sun certified."

An online ordering feature will be added to Cosmos tool by about Q4 2008.

To help drive Sun Volume business, the distributor has also launched an incentive program called Pump up the Volume, which will be running till June 30. Partners will be able to accumulate points based on the products and the volume they sell, Newham said.

"The objective here is to introduce the Sun Volume product range to a group of resellers that would not think about selling Sun in the Windows space," Newham said. "We have been trying to get across that Sun has a good range in that space at a competitive price."

Resellers will share in $150,000 worth of cash and prizes. There will also be fortnightly draws that will give resellers the chance to win a home theatre system, iPods, speaker systems and concert tickets.

To learn more about Pump up the Volume, itX will be staging an event on March 26 in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

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